2609 owners: Does your system get warm in the upper left corner?

[Intelligentleman]

Especially after playing it for several minutes... Maybe more noticeable with some games than others. Not hot or anything, just warm.

[ls650]

Hmm.  I haven't noticed that - I will check the next time I play it.

[Intelligentleman]

Thanks. It's almost like certain games seem to push the system harder. But it could still simply be related to duration of use. 

[HunterZero]

Quite normal, as the power supply board with its voltage regulators and heatsinks is in the top left corner.

Edited February 25, 2020 by HunterZero

[mr_me]

The bottom left, where the transformer is, gets warm and stays warm even when it's turned off.  It's why I've always unplugged the intellivision when not in use.

[Zendocon]

Yes.  I had noticed that as a child.  I always just had assumed that's where the CPU was at.  I later learned it's overclocked.

[Intelligentleman]

Thanks for the replies, all. Sounds like this is nothing out of the ordinary.

[nick3092]

On 2/25/2020 at 2:06 AM, mr_me said:

The bottom left, where the transformer is, gets warm and stays warm even when it's turned off.  It's why I've always unplugged the intellivision when not in use.

That's due to Mattel deciding to switch the secondary on the transformer instead of the primary. So AC is constantly flowing in the transformer wasting a small amount of electricity which is turned into heat. Probably for cost reasons. A 16v rated switch is smaller and cheaper that one rated for 110 or 220 depending on your country. 

 

For safety and longevity it's best to switch the primary (preferably the hot side if the cord is polarized). Next best thing is what you said, unplug it. Most consoles of that era had the wall warts that would also get warm. Unplugging then was the only option. My parents always made sure we unplugged them when not in use. 

[IMBerzerk]

Another reason the Sears unit is the better option.  It has vents over that area and allows the heat to rise out of the case.  

 

You even get that cool nostalgic smell of heated capacitors.  Lol 

[Intelligentleman]

26 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

Another reason the Sears unit is the better option.  It has vents over that area and allows the heat to rise out of the case.  

 

You even get that cool nostalgic smell of heated capacitors.  Lol 

Yeah that Sears unit really was the best version, wasn't it?

[+nurmix]

Yeah that Sears unit really was the best version, wasn't it?

Except aesthetically (only my opinion, of course)..



•Sent from my Intellivision keypad phone

[Midnight Rider]

Would love to see a Sears SVA edition of the Amico.

[IMBerzerk]

Me too... But I'm totally biased!!